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Knowing More Than One Language

You Failed Your Kids by Speaking Only English

Am I the only one who feels, every time some new study shows that learning a second language is good for kids, that I have already woefully and irreversibly failed my children? (And it happened before they even hit their toddler years!)

One recent study even revealed that babies who live in a household in which only one language is spoken slip behind those who are routinely exposed to two or more languages their first year of life: They are less "open" to and have more difficulty understanding other languages. Maybe, like,forever.

Children raised in multilingual households have also been shown to have bigger vocabularies, better problem-solving and multitasking skills, be "more cognitively flexible," and have superior "executive function" skills.

In other words, if you, like me, speak only English to your kids and have a spouse who speaks only English to your kids, and extended family who speak only English to your kids, and hire a babysitter who speaks only English to your kids, your kids are doomed to live a life of mediocrity before they are even out of diapers.

And don't think playing a few Spanish, French, or Mandarin tapes or DVDs will help you out of this parental bind: Studies also show that kids need face-to-face, in-person exposure to other languages to get the cognitive boost.

Honestly, don't mothers of toddlers have enough to feel guilty about without having to repent for not speaking another language -- or for not having the foresight to marry some dapper fellow from another country (or the funds to hire a Spanish-speaking nanny)?

Do studies like this make you feel bad? Do they make you want to rush out and hire aFrench tutor for your 4-month-old?

My African friends all speak at least 7 languages ... I wish I spoke more. Our pastor is Egyptian and he's already starting Si w/Arabic (I had some Arabic in college). He listens to Arabic music and I have some videos for when he is older.

I know people who know numerous languages and in their countires it just seem normal. I want my own to at least know spanish, sign and portugese. Steven wants them to learn Japanese and Mandarin too. If I get the money Rosetta stone is gonna have my money for quite awhile LOL!

My problem is my ex doesn't really want to teach the kids Spanish. he is conflicted. David is already bilingual but my ex is trying to kill that. he doesn't want David to be seen as another "Mexican". My kid looks white (Same complexion as my oldest) and I guess his dad wants to keep him that way. I swear that man is bi polar

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